Dubai’s RTA deploys drones to clean traffic signals, cutting costs by 15%

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun a pilot operation to clean traffic signals across the city using drone technology, as part of wider efforts to introduce advanced systems into road maintenance and operations.

The initiative is intended to enhance safety by removing the need for manlifts during cleaning work, while also reducing operational costs linked to heavy equipment. RTA said the approach supports sustainability objectives by lowering fuel and water consumption and reducing emissions associated with traditional maintenance methods.

According to the authority, the use of drones aligns with its future-focused strategy to improve service quality, optimise resource efficiency and maintain high standards of traffic safety for road users.

RTA pilots drone cleaning operations

Abdulla Ali Lootah, Director of Roads and Facilities Maintenance at the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, said the organisation continues to adopt innovative technologies to support maintenance activities and ensure consistent performance across Dubai’s road network.

He said the pilot operation involved a comparison between drone-based cleaning and conventional methods, assessing factors including time, cost, quality of execution and compliance with safety requirements.

Lootah said the first phase of the trial took place at the Marrakech Street–Rebat Street junction, where a limited traffic closure was implemented to maintain safety during the initial testing period.

He said early results showed a reduction in operational time of between 25 per cent and 50 per cent, with the drone able to clean a single side of a traffic signal in three to four minutes.

The trials also indicated an estimated reduction in operational costs of up to 15 per cent compared with traditional cleaning methods. Lootah said this figure could increase to 25 per cent in the future as more advanced drone technologies are introduced.

He added that the pilot operation would continue to assess the effectiveness of drones in maintenance activities. The next phase will focus on refining cleaning techniques while ensuring the highest safety standards and avoiding disruption to traffic flow.

RTA said the project forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen the performance of Dubai’s road infrastructure and support smarter, more efficient maintenance practices across the emirate.